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Only rupee floated, but not bodies on rivers - Alavi Mowlana

The media freedom during the period '77 to '94 and today cannot be compared at all. During 77-94 media freedom or the freedom of expression was alien to this country where those were brave enough to abduct and murder.

This was the case with Richard de Soysa, Premakeerthi de Alwis and the Union Leaders like Somapala who were murdered by government hired thugs during the July 1980 strike.

The law enforcement agencies could not act according to the court rulings. They were helpless. Twelve union leaders including myself were brutally attacked and hospitalised. No inquiry was held.

In contrast the media now enjoys the freedom to publish, transmit or air according to their wishes. The workers enjoy the right to strike, picket, demonstrate and criticise anyone from Head of the State to the bottom. In fact, this freedom is even being exploited now. Five days a week, you can see a demonstration in front of the Fort Railway station. But, no one has to pay with dear life for doing so, not even for making fun of the Head of the State.

What you find floating now is only the rupee not unidentified corpses on rivers.

PA talking nonsense after realising defeat - Tyronne Fernando

I was the last media Minister under the UNP government. During my time we opened up all electronic media to the private sector. Two private newspapers, Lakbima and Sunday Leader was opened during this time.

During that period Chandrika had all the freedom to use any media for her electioneering. I was blamed by some UNPers then for allowing her to get so much freedom to be portrayed via Rupavahini.

She won the elections because she used Rupavahini to capture the minds of the people with her smile.

In fact Mrs. Bandaranaike as the Leader of the Opposition wrote me in 1993 thanking for opening up the State Media for Opposition news and views. What PA inherited in 1994 was total media freedom though it has come down now.

There could have been few shortcomings but we gave total freedom for the press and electronic media. The PA today only talking nonsense, after realising their defeat. My good friend Minister Mowlana is only talking, because he is also lost in wilderness. Now they do not know what to do after December 5.

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